Every year, Local 1596 sponsors the T-shirts worn by cancer survivors at the Relay For Life. We also provide medical standby services at the event. Our members are in attendance throughout the night to show our support in the fight against cancer.

Due to our occupational exposure to smoke, soot, and other carcinogens, firefighters have cancer rates 3-4 times those of civilians. Local 1596 is proud to carry on our tradition of supporting this cause in the years to come.

Members of Local 1596 voted to amend our existing Constitution and By-Laws at the February 2013 union meeting. These changes were submitted to the International for review. This summer, these changes were returned to the Local, signed and approved by General President Schaitberger of the International Association of Firefighters.

The new Constitution and By-Laws are hereby in effect, and are being updated on the web site. Union members, please take a moment to review these changes. You can log in to the web site and view them there, or email Secretary Darling for a copy.

Please note that in General President Schaitberger's letter that accompanied this approval, he suggested several minor changes, and directly required that one other change be made at our earliest convenience. It is our hope to address these issues in the near future.

All three City Commission candidates endorsed by Local 1596 were elected to office on April 2, 2013.

This is a major accomplishment for Local 1596. In addition to print and online ads, over a dozen of our members spent a week canvassing neighborhoods and distributing flyers that endorsed these three candidates.

This work undoubtedly paid off, as Dr. Riordan won election by less than 100 votes. Local 1596 members should be very proud of our ability to successfully support candidates who support public safety.

Thanks to everyone who came together to make this effort a success. We look forward to working with the new City Commission to address the needs of Lawrence in the upcoming term.